Richards leads HGCC to comfortable victory

On a glorious day at Rhode Field, Old Glossop were the visitors to HGCC in the Bissenden Cup first round. Old Glossop won the toss and elected to bowl on what looked to be a batting track.

After an early breakthrough from Mark Allen, removing Josh Hampson for 1 with the score 1-1, Josh Unsworth and Pete Richards steadied the ship and quickly set about proving that it was indeed a batting paradise. The second wicket fell with the score on 94, Josh Unsworth being caught at point for a solid 32. The score had progressed to 141 before Old Glossop made another dent in the the HGCC batting, Littler being removed caught and bowled with sharp catch from Paul Littlewood for 13. This brought Jack Needham to the crease, joining Richards in what proved to be a game changing partnership. The two batsmen looked comfortable to say the least, setting about any loose deliveries and putting them to the boundary more often than not. Needham passed 50 in quick time and progressed on to make a fantastic 105, before being ajudged LBW to Stephen Allcock, with the score an immense 384-4. This wicket brought to an end a superb partnership of 290 between Richards and Needham. Richards wasn't quite finished there though, putting a few more balls into the surrounding gardens on his way to a club record score of 228*, including 18 4's and 19 6's. Hawk Green closed on 404-4.

Buoyed by the first innings domination, Hawk Green took to the field knowing they had the runs behind them to attack from the word go. After a superb century in the first innings, it was Needham who drew first blood for the Green, removing Jehrome Sagar for 4 with the score 5-1. It wasn't long before Lee Hallas joined the party, removing Adam Demidh caught behind for 1, the score 5-2. The next wicket to fall was that of Andy King, bowled by the rejuvinated Hallas for 3 with the score 17-3. Another quick wicket came from Logan Jeffs, dismissing Mark Allen clean bowled for 9, the score now 17-4 and Hawk Green looking dominant again. A grinding 60 partnership between Stephen Allcock and Dom Sagar looked to be steadying the ship for Old Glossop, before Allcock fell to Unsworth, caught behind for 22, the score now 77-5. The final 4 wickets came comfortably for Hawk Green as they dismissed the 10 man batting lineup for 109, including a first wicket in the 1st XI for Harry Fenteman at just 15.

All in all, Hawk Green enjoyed a very dominant day and showed they are more than ready for the upcoming season!